Heeman feas-ch



(No Model.)

H. FRASGHQ PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING HYDROGABBON OIL. No.340,499. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.;

N. PETERS. PholvLilhognpher. Waillirvginm no.

NrTn STATES PATENT Price.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING HYDROCARBON OIL.

BPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,499, dated April20, 1886.

Application filed Xovembcr 11, 1885.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN FRASOH, a citizen of the United States,residing at London, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus forDistilling Hydrocarbon Oils, of which the following specification is afull, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates more particularly to the distillation ofpetroleum and other hydrocarbon oils for the purpose of obtaining fluidsfor burning; butit is not wholly nor strictly limited thereto.

In the distillation of petroleum or similar hydrocarbon the gradualrising of theboilingpoint of the liquid in the still and thedecomposition which takes place as the temperature increases cause theresulting distillates to consist of light and heavy products havingwidely different boilingpoints. The light liquids cause the distillatesto have a low firetest, while the presence of the heavy liquids injurethe burning qualities of the oil. These effects are produced even whenthe proportions of light and heavy oils present are small. Moreover,during the whole runa small quantity of the boiling oil is carried overmechanically by the current of vapor, and this causes difficulty inburning, and gives a greenish or yellow tint to the distillate.

The object of the present invention is to prevent this mechanicalcarrying over of the liquid distilling, and also to separate the vapors,so as to obtain the desired grades of oil by simpler, cheaper, and moreefficient means than heretofore employed.

To prevent the mechanical carrying over of the oil, many devices havebeen employed, generally based upon the alcoholstill, and consisting ofperforated plates, through which the vapors are passed. These plates,while they may answer with gasoline or benzine, are unsuited wherehydrocarbons boiling at two hundred degrees Fahrenheit (200 F.) andabove are distilled, because their vapors are so sensitive to theabstraction of heat, especially if in the presence of a liquidhydrocarbon, that even one plate is liable to cause so much condensationthereof as seriously to hinder the operation of the still. Moreover,

Serial No. 182,486. (No model.)

the resistance offered by the plate is often too great to render theiruse safe.

According to the present invention the still is provided on top with adome filled or partly filled with a mass of broken limestone or coke orother material in irregular blocks orpieces, (preferably irregular inshape and about four or five inches in diameter,) and the hot vaporsbefore or as they leave the still are passed through this mass. Thechannels through the stonebeiugirregular and angular, cause the vaporsto pursue a tortuous course, which induces the deposit upon the stone(or other material) of particles held in suspension thereby. Thoseparticles collect and run together and drop back into the still. Thestone rests upon a grating that forms thebase of the dome, and separatesit from the interior of the still. The diameter of the dome is so largethat no sensible resistance to the passage of the vapors is caused bythe stone therein. The height of the dome is small, preferably somewhatless than the diameter. The vapors escape at the top of the dome.

To separate the vapors from the different grades of oil, acolumn,or,better, a number of parallel columns, which are or may besurrounded by or immersed in a medium of proper temperature-such as hotwater, for example-4s provided, each column having inside a successionof rings and disks arranged alternately, so that the vapors arecompelled to pursue a tortuous course over and in contact with them.Vapors condense on the disks and rings, and the liquid fallsin streamsfrom disk to ring and ring to disk through the upward-passing vapor. Thecondensed hot liquid thus acts as a direct condenser of the still hottervapor. On account of the high temperature of the condensed liquid onlyheavy vapors are condensed, the remainder passing onto a second columnor group of columns of similar construction, or into any suitablecondenser. The condensed liquids are or may be drawn off separately fromeach column. The temperature of the columns is regulated to produce thedesired grade of oil. Where it is desired to obtain a number of gradesof different fire-test, the temperature is diminished for eachsuccessive column by the use of condensing media of lower temperature orotherwise. Difl'crent grades can also be obtained from the same columnby dividing it into sections and tapping them separetely, thetemperature becoming lower as the vapors lose the heat received in thestill, although the surrounding medium may be of the same temperature,or even be warmer about the higher sections. The oil from the lowestsection has often a fire-test considerably higher-say three hundreddegrees Fahrenheit (300 F.)-than the temperature of the surroundingwater, which may be about two hundred and twelve degrees (212 F.) \Vherea group of columns is used, they are preferably connected with a commonmanifold, with which the vapor-outlet from the still is connected. Acold-water condenser is or may be used to condense the last or lightestvapors, and it may at the same time be utilized to cool theproductscondensed in the columns. The rings and disks are preferably united intoa system, and suspended within the columns,which is or may be a simplecast-iron pipe. These constructions,which have been indicated as beingpreferably employed, constitute special improvements, it being, however,also understood that other and more general improvement not limited tothese special constructions are also included in the invention.

The following is a description of what is considered the best mode ofapplying the principle of the invention, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and showan apparatus for producing three grades of oil.

Figure I is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus, (includingthe still,) and Figs. 2 and 3 longitudinal and cross-sections, respectively, of the condensing-colu Inns and their accessories. In Fig. 2the section is taken on a different plane from that of Fig. 1, so as toshow the interior construction of the columns. Figs. 4 and 5 are detailviews.

The still A, which may be of any ordinary or suitable form, heated inanyordinary or suitable manner, but which, as shown, is heated bydirectfire-lieat, is provided with a dome, 13, on top. This dome isfilled or partly filled with the mass 0 of irregular broken limestone orcoke or like material. Its bottom is formed of a grating, D, upon whichthe mass 0 rests. The vapor-escape pipe E leads from the top of thisdome, the vapors passing from the still through the mass 0 of brokenmaterial, upon which any particles held mechanioally in suspension aredeposited, and from which they fall back into the still. broken stone 0,being practically at the temperature of the still, does not effect anyconsiderable condensation of the vapors, and the oil which dripsback,being practically at the temperature of the boiling oil below, doesnot check the distillation. The dome is broad and 'low-say four and ahalf feet (4% ft.) in diameter and three and a half feet (3% ft.) highfor a five-hundred barrel (500 bbl.) cy- Thelindrical still'-so that thestone therein does not offer any substantial resistance to the escape ofthe vapors.

The pipe E conducts the vapors into the fractionating condenser. Thisapparatus con sists of a manifold, G, and columns H, with their inletsand outlets, and the box R, in which they are placed. The pipe E isconnected by a downward bend with the middle tubule of the manifold G.The columns Hare connected with tubules on either side of the middle,and each column is divided into two sections by a bend or offset aboutthe middle of the same. Each section is fitted with asystem of rings, I,and disks K. Thoseare strung upon suspension or tie rods L, (see Fig.4,) the disks being provided with ears for the purpose, (see Fig. 5, andare separated by sleeves M. A plate or frame at the top, which is or maybe one of the disks or rings, extends over the edge of the pipe, whichforms the column or of a flange thereon. The system of interceptingrings and disks is suspended from this plate or frame. The suspension ofthe system permits it and each part of it to expand and contract freely.The diameter of the disks is somewhat greater than the interior diameterof the rings, so that their edges overlap.

The pipe N, provided with a trap, is connected with the bottom of themanifold G, for drawing off the oil which collects therein. A pipe, P,provided with a trap, is connected with the upper section of each columnH at the bottom of the section for drawing off the lighter oil which iscondensed in said upper section.

From the top of each column a pipe,Q,conducts away the uncondensedvapors. The manifolds and columns are contained in abox, R, which isfilled with hot water or other medium for moderating the temperature inthe fractional condenser. For producing oil having a fire-test of, say,three hundred de grees Fahrenheit,(800 F.),boiling water may be used;but a higher or lower temperature may be used, according to the qualityof the oil which it is desired to obtain. The temperature of the watermay be maintained uniform by any ordinary or suitable means. By usinghot water or a medium above ordinary atmospheric temperature, andapproximating more or less that of the vapors to be condensed, theamount which the vapors will be cooled in passing through the fractionalcondenser can be limited.

The pipes N P Q are all connected with coils or cooling-chambers T U Win the box S, which is filled with water of the desired temperature(generally cool or cold) to condense the vapors or such part of them asmaybe desired, and to cool the oils from the fractional condenser.

The box S with its contents forms what is hereinafter termed thecondenser and cooler. The different apparatus may be supported by anyappropriate means -such as brackets, beams, pillars, or the likeas wellunderstood by mechanics accustomed to build this class of apparatus.

The operation is as follows: The still A having been filled with the oilto be distilled,and the fire started, the vapors pass off through themass of stone 0, which intercepts any particles which may be carried offmechanically by the current. The vapors, freed from these particles,pass off by the pipe E into the manifold G, and are distributed to thecolumns, up which they pass to escape by the pipes Q into the coils orcooling chamber T, and be therein condensed. As the vapors pass into themanifold G and up the lower sections of the columns H the heaviestvapors are condensed, and, collecting upon. the rings I and disks K,they drip or run from one to the other, falling through the mixedvapors, and assist-ingin condensing and separating the heaviest from theother vapors. This heavy oil, or oil of high boiling-point, collectsinthe manifold G, and thence passes off by the pipe N to the coils orchamber WV, wherein it is cooled. The vapors, having parted with theirheaviest portion, pass through the upper sections of the columns, andthe second grade of vapors are therein condensed by the lowertemperature, assisted by the condensed oil dripping from disk to ringand ring to disk. The oil is carried off by the pipes I into the coilsor cooling-chamber U. The three grades of oil from chambers T U W aredelivered into any suitable receptacles for storage or other purposes.

It is evident that by duplication or extension of the apparatusdescribed more than three grades of oil may be produced. It is alsoevident that modifications may be made in details without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and parts of the invention may be usedseparately.

I am aware that heretofore in distilling it has been proposed to employin the upper part of the still, or in a chamber communicatingtherewith,a body of pumice-stone, fine pebbles,or other porous orgranular material, by which the vapors are to be deprived'of a portionof their impurities; but such fine ma terial as would be adapted to thispurpose, where the object is to atomize the vapor, would be unsuited tothe purposes of the present invention, because it would create aback-pressure aptto cause explosion of the oilstill or detrimental to aneffective distillation, or both. As already pointed out, I use irregularblocks of considerable size-say four or five inches in diameterina domeof such area that paths between the blocks are of a size and number. tooii'er no appreciable resistance to the passage of the vapors whilestill effective to induce the precipitation of particles of liquid heldin suspension in consequence of their irregularity or tortuous course,and these blocks are placed in immediate'proximity to the still, so asto avoid, so

far as possible, condensation of the hydrocarbon vapor by cooling. I amalso aware that a fractionating condenser for oil-stills has been madeor proposed in which the vapors pass successively through a series ofcommunicating chamherseach provided with its individuahoutlet fordrawing off the condensed oil; but in this old apparatus the condensedliquid mainly or wholly flows down the vertical walls of the chambers,and the vapors are not exposed 'to showers or streams of condensedliquid falling through them, as it is exposed in the apparatushereinbefore described to the liquid falling from ring to disk and diskto ring. Moreover, in the present invention, the vapor as it passesthrough the space between a ring and disk is treated to a shower orstream of the condensed 'liquid,and,asin passing through each column ordistinct section of a column the vapor passes through many such spaces,it is subjected toa succession of such showers or streams for each gradeof oil to be produced.

I am further aware that a series of alternating rings and disks has beenused in clifdiminishingtemperature, the results of the successivepartial condensations, utilized to effect a further condensation of theproper vapors at each stage in 'virtue of their affinity for said vaporsby causing them to fall from ring to disk and disk to ring throughthemixed vapors.

Moreover, I am aware that a series of perforated disks strung on a rodhave been sup ported freely, so as to be removable at will in acondenser-column; but a system of alter nating and connected rings anddisks adapted to be freely supported is believed to be new.

Having now described the invention and the manner in which the same isor may be carried into effect, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. An oilstill having in immediate proximity to the still and in freecommunication therewith a dome of the proportions and filled withirregular blocks or pieces of about the size stated, and having also thevapor-escape pipeleading from said dome, so thatthe hydrotop or sectionsof a column connected in series and receiving in succession the mixedvapors from the still, each column or section being proyided inside witha series of alternating disks and rings, and having its individualoutlet at the bottom, so that the oil is drawn oft separately asdistillates of difi'erent fire-test from the different columns orsections, substantially as dcscribed.

3. A column or upright pipe divided'by an offset or bend into sectionshaving each a se ries ofrings arid disks inside the same, and providedwith separate outlets for the condensed liquid or oil, substantially asdescribed.

4. An apparatus comprising tubular parts or sections of a column placedat difierent levels and connected in series, so that the vapors passthrough them successively, and immersed in or surrounded by a commonmedium for lowering the temperatu rein said parts or sections, each partor section being provided with its own liquid outlet and with a seriesof alternating rings and disks inside the same substantially asdescribed.

5. The combination, with a still, ofa group of parallel columns havinginlets at the bottom and outlets at the top, a box containing saidcolumns, a series of alternating rings and "disks in each column, amanifold at the lower ends of said columns, a vapor-pipe leading fromthe still to said manifold, and a pipe for drawing offthe liquid fromsaid manifold, said columns communicating withacommon chamber in saidmanifold, so that the vapor may pass at oneeinto all thecolnmns,substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the inclosing pipe or column, of the rings anddisks, the tie-rods, the separating sleeves, and the suspending plate orframe, substantially as described.

7. In the fractional condensation of hydrocarbon vapors by passing thevapors successively through a number of columns or sections of a column,so as gradually to lower the temperature of the vapors, and drawing offthe condensed liquid from each column or section separately, theimprovement consisting in exposing the vapors in each chamber to asuccession of showers or streams of the liquid condensed in thatchamber, andthus eifecting the desired successive partial condensationsby repeated exposure of the vapors to hot hydrocarbonliquid'approximating the vaporsin temperature, and, like them, graduallydiminishing in temperature for each column or section, as well as by thelower temperature in each column or section, the said improvement beingcarried out in an apparatussuch as the series of columns or sectionsprovided inside with alternating rings and disks and immersed in orsurrounded by a hot mediumcalculated to induce a gradual reduction ofthe vapors in temperature, and to effect a repeated contact between thevapors and the condensed liquid,

substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

GEO. O. GUNN, JNO. J. MoPHILLIPs.

